Zimbabwe has unveiled a new Sugarcane Industry Development Strategy (2026–2035), aiming to double its annual sugar production to 800,000 tons within the next decade.
The plan seeks to revitalize one of the country’s key agricultural sectors, which has faced years of underperformance due to outdated equipment, low farm productivity, and infrastructure challenges. Over the past three years, Zimbabwe’s sugar output has averaged about 415,000 tons annually.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the strategy focuses on increasing yields, modernizing milling facilities, strengthening irrigation systems, and expanding cane production areas. Officials also emphasized the need to reduce production costs and enhance competitiveness in both local and export markets.
Currently, the two major producers — Triangle Limited and Hippo Valley Estates — have a combined milling capacity of 640,000 tons, but are operating at only about 70% efficiency. In the 2024/2025 season, the country harvested 3.63 million tons of sugarcane across roughly 45,000 hectares.
Zimbabwe’s domestic sugar consumption stands at around 390,000 tons per year, making it largely self-sufficient. However, authorities say future growth will target export markets. In recent years, sugar exports have averaged 82,000 tons annually, earning about US$43 million in revenue.
Government officials believe that fully implementing the 10-year strategy will not only boost production but also create jobs, increase export earnings, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a regional sugar producer.
